Vietnamese Pork Belly Fried with Fish Sauce: A Flavorful Delight

Pork belly fried with fish sauce is a familiar dish that often graces the dinner tables of many Vietnamese families. With its rich flavor from the fish sauce combined with the crispy skin and tender, sweet meat, this dish is not only easy to make but also offers an unforgettable culinary experience. Let’s explore how to make pork belly fried with fish sauce right at home!

Appetizing pork belly fried with fish sauce

Ingredients Needed

To prepare pork belly fried with fish sauce, you will need the following ingredients:

• 400g pork belly
• 5 lemongrass stalks
• 5 fresh chili peppers
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon seasoning powder
• ½ teaspoon monosodium glutamate
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• Cooking oil

Tips for Choosing Quality Pork Belly

Choosing fresh, quality pork belly is crucial for the success of the dish. Here are some tips for selecting pork belly:

• Choose a piece with thin skin, white fat, and more lean meat than fat.
• Fresh meat will be bright red or dark red; avoid pieces that are pale green or dark.
• Press the meat to check for firmness. Good meat will be elastic and not mushy or leaking.
• Opt for a piece with even thickness for easier cooking.

How to Make Pork Belly Fried with Fish Sauce

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients and Mix Marinade

• Peel the lemongrass, wash it, crush it, and then finely chop it. Similarly, peel the garlic, remove the seeds from the chili peppers, and finely chop both.
• Mix the lemongrass, garlic, and chili peppers with salt, seasoning powder, monosodium glutamate, fish sauce, and sugar in a small bowl. Stir well to create a rich marinade.

Marinade mixture for pork belly

Step 2: Marinate the Pork Belly

• Wash the pork belly, let it drain, and then cut it into two equal parts.
• Place the pork in a large bowl, pour in the marinade, and mix well to ensure the marinade covers the surface of the meat. Let it marinate for about 30 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate deeply.

Step 3: Fry the Pork Belly

• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the pork belly pieces and fry for about 5 minutes.
• To ensure the meat cooks evenly and becomes crispy, lower the heat and cover the pan. When the pork is golden brown, remove it from the pan and place it on a plate lined with paper towels to drain the excess oil.

Step 4: Finalize and Present

• Let the pork cool slightly, then slice it into bite-sized pieces. Arrange the pork on a plate and serve it with hot rice and soy sauce with a few sliced chili peppers.
• To enhance the flavor, you can also prepare fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Tips to Perfect Pork Belly Fried with Fish Sauce

• If you have time, marinate the pork for 3-4 hours or overnight in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to penetrate deeper.
• To prevent oil splatters while frying, remove some of the lemongrass and chili before frying the pork. Add them back to the pan after the pork is golden brown.
• Keep the heat low while frying to ensure the meat cooks evenly from the inside out.
• Adding fresh vegetables like lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers can make the dish more appealing.

Conclusion

With the simple recipe for pork belly fried with fish sauce provided above, you can easily prepare a flavorful and appealing dish right at home. The distinctive taste of fish sauce combined with the aroma of lemongrass, garlic, and chili will make family meals even more heartwarming. Try it today to bring joy to your loved ones!

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